Design Team Info

Thursday, March 31, 2011

It's time for a new challenge at Stamping with the Dragon. The sponsor for this challenge is Incy Wincy and the theme/challenge is to use a household item as a technique in your project. You have from 4/1 - 4/14 to upload your project to the challenge blog. The winner will receive a $10 Voucher to Aspire To Thrive Shop.

Here's a quick bio about this organization: "Aspire To Thrive Children's Charities (was Incy Wincy Children's Charities - hence the challenge blog name) was started by a group of friends in Elizabeth and Salisbury, Australia - who wanted to give something back to the community. A group of us have continued to do through out the last 2 years and we have been shown the amount of difficulty our society has towards children with special needs. There are a lot of charities out there who help children with terminal illnesses so we thought we could aim more towards learning and behavioural difficulties. We are in talks now with a local kindergarten to see what we can do to help them. This would be a wonderful project and I hope with all my heart this goes ahead. ALL our work is voluntary and we get no ongoing assistance from anyone. We have gotten a few tiny grants to help with uniforms and equipment, for which we are grateful.

Our shop at http://www.aspiretothrive.com.au/ are donated drawings and ALL money (minus paypal costs) go directly into the charity. We are grateful for any sales, help or donations (cards etc for our stalls)." --Heather

The theme this week at the AiFactory challenge blog is a Bright as Day (bright colors) and Ella on Cloud 9is such a fun image. Unfortunately, the store is closed at the moment for maintenance, but will reopen shortly. After coloring her with Copic markers, I fussy cut the image and pop dotted it for added dimension.. Stickles are added to the heart and to the outside edges of the clouds for a shimmery look. The strips of paper (from my stash) are woven together; the design is a sketch design from Scrapbook News and Review Magazine (I just flipped it).

Be sure to go see what all the other design team members have created for you today (see blog addresses under tab above). And don't forget, you have one week to upload your bright creation.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Hi, my name is Bunny..... Earl Bunny. And he's hopping at the chance to tell you it's time for the Dude Time Doodles April New Release Blog Hop. The Dudettes have created some really cool stuff to share with you today for all the Dudes in your life. Our sponsor for the April sketch challenge is Paper Temptress. You'll definitely want to go check out the amazing selection of cardstock.

Earl Bunny is dedicated to my hubby for all those times he agreed to dress up in a bunny costume for the 300+ kids in our neighborhood so they could have their pictures taken with the Easter Bunny and to officiate the Easter Egg Hunt. Unfortunately, the costume was a girl bunny (no other options were available) and had a big pink hat with lots of flowers all over it. Hence, the sentiment. Luckily, Earl's costume is a boy bunny and a bit tamer.

I tried several different variations for this image, including liquid applique and Flower Soft. But in the end, I liked the simplicity of just using my Copic markers and pop dotting his upper body and the Easter basket. I also used Distress inks for my edges and paper floss as accents. The purple triangle is spritzed with Sheer Shimmer Spritz (Frost) and Walnut Ink (lilac), both by Tsukinko for a bit of shimmer. The Easter eggs are colored with Copics and Spica glitter pens.

This Blog Hop does not have a starting or an ending point; so no matter where you hop, you're at the right place. Just keep going until you've hopped to each of us. Don't forget to leave some love everywhere you land, including here (and become a follower if you like what you see)! One of the Design Team Dudettes will be chosen as the "MYSTERY HOSTESS" of the blog hop and one lucky commenter will receive one of our new release images or any individual image of their choice for free. The Dudettes do not know who the MYSTERY HOSTESS will be until after the hop, so, please leave love everywhere you go during the hop. Once you have gone full circle, you have completed the Hop. All the New Release images will be available in the store at 10 am EST.

Hop on over to Miss Theresa next! We all hope you enjoy what you see along the way because we've had a blast putting it together for you.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Hambo Stamps is doing it's eighth Hambo Hoedown this week. If you participated last week, you would have gotten Coffee Girl free this week (or you can buy it). If you participate this week, you get a free image for next week's hoedown...you get the idea. I don't always have time to participate, but I try when I can because their images are so fun and versatile.

I printed the image twice since I wanted to pop dot the top of the coffee cup and the sentiment. (You can see the dimensions better in the next photos.) I colored both the sentiment and the image with Copic markers and I also used quite a few Spellbinders dies for this project (Standard Circles large #6, Ribbon Tag Trio 2, Lotus Pendant).

Smooch Spritzs (I just grabbed colors several colors to combine) were used to spray the cardstock that I cut the Lotus Pendant out of and the seam binding ribbon used on the sentiment. It's so easy to tint your own seam binding ribbon or twill (Just spritz with water to get it moist, drop in a plastic baggie and spritz on the color(s) you want. Wrinkle it up to get it all saturated, then either let air dry or use your heat tool.)

Friday, March 25, 2011

Look who's peeking out at you! This little cutie is from Stamping Dragon Designs and is colored with, you guessed it, Copic markers. I fussy cut the image out and adhered it to my base and added a bit of coordinating ribbon. I wanted something clean and simple so this kitty could lure you in with her inquiring eyes.

I also added some pearlescent chalks in the purple behind the cat's face for a bit of glimmer.

Be sure to head on over to the SDD challenge blog; you still have time to submit your project.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

The Sisterhood of Crafters challenge this week is Let's Hear it for the Boys and Dude Time Doodles is a sponsor. Definitely right up my alley! I created a birthday card withMo Stoogefor a friend worried about getting older. So, I aged Mo giving him grayer hair and lighter skin tones to simulate time passing. The sentiment is a testiment that he still has a full head of hair (only much lighter), whereas a lot of guys have the monk thing going on.

I used Copics to color in the individual images and Spellbinders standard circles, small to create my mats. The ribbon is by May Arts. This is an A10 sized card, so it will fit in the long envelopes. (You can click on the picture to get a better look at the details.)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Weightlifter Wayne might be a skinny little guy, but he's definitely trying hard to seize the day (or at least the dumb bell). He's a digital image from Bonibleaux Designs and can be found at Dude Time Doodles. This week, Dude Time Doodles is sponsoring Cheerful Stamp Pad and their theme is Be A Sport.

I colored Wayne using Copic markers and followed a sketch design from Scrapbook News and Review. I did my own funky kind of easel card too. The number and the yellow stripe are colored with Smooch pearlized ink (Sundance) and Spellbinder's standard circles, large (#3) die was used to cut the mat for the sentiment sticker.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

It's all about celebrating with sparkle and glitz for this week's Hambo Hoedown challenge (and a chance to be a guest designer) and all about the sketch (and a chance to be on their design team) at Cards for Men.

My celebratory mouse is a digital image from Hambo Stamps and he has lots of sparkle and glitz. The balloons and all the dots are purple Stickles; the purple triangles are spritzed with Sheer Shimmer Spritz (Frost) by Tsukinko;Smooch (illuminate) pearlized top coat was added to the mouse's ears, nose, and tail; Liquid Pearls was used for the balloon reflections and the scarf fringe; and a Spica glitter pen was used to highlight the sentiment. (I didn't realize I had so much to choose from when given the chance to add sparkle :-). ) The sentiment is actually part of the patterned paper that I cut with Spellbinder's Deckled Mega Rectangles, small and pop dotted for more dimension.

I used various shades of green (Copic markers) to create my quilt, added a double bow and a small flower to the center for a clean and simple look. The base paper picks up the cantaloupe from the flower as well as the green from the image.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Hambo Stamps definitely has a lot of cute images - both rubber and digital. This is Football Girl and she and her teddy are getting ready to play some footballllllllllllll..... She's not intimidated by anything and she knows: Girls Can Do Anything Boys Can Do, Only Better!

Copics were used to color in the image and the sentiment was computer generated. I also added hand stitched circles to give it a little extra punch.

Toby in a Bag is so cute, you can't help but think of springtime! I tried something a little different this time around - embossing a digital image. So far (after extensive : -) research), the only way I've come up with embossing a digital image is by using vellum paper. I still plan on trying more combinations, but this works well. I printed Toby on vellum paper and immediately poured clear embossing powder all over, used my trusty Heat Tool, and you can't tell if it was a stamped image or a digital image. Next, I used Copic markers to color the image in - I used vibrant colors knowing the vellum would mute the colors a bit.

You definitely are going to want to check out what the rest of the design team has come up with (see tabs above for blog addresses); I know you won't be disappointed. Remember, you have two weeks to link up your creation at the Challenge Blog.

This week's AiFactory Challenge is Things with Wings. There are tons of possibilities with this theme, so get creative. I've chosen the owl party printables and made a couple of different projects.

The first is a gift box where I also used my Cricut Imagine (Imagine More Cards cartridge) to coordinate with these cute party printables. After printing and adhering the papers and sentiment, I wrapped pink tulle around the box. I enhanced the AiF Owl using Spellbinders Standard Circles (#3,4) for layers and the Eyelet Circle (#3) for the base. Some light pink paper floss is also threaded through the eyelets. Here's a close up, so you can see the details I added (Spica glitter pen and a pearl in her bow).

The second party favor I made is a tube filled with candy. I chose a different owl from the printable and accentuated it with a Spellbinders Beaded Circle (#3) and a Spica glitter pen to give more sparkle to the feathers and the eyes. I used the same light pink paper floss to tie it onto the candy tube. Smooch Taffy highlights the beads around the outside of the circle.

﻿Don't forget to check out all the other great creations the Design Team has made for you (see tabs above for blog addresses). Be sure to link up your winged creation at the AiFactory Challenge Blog. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

It's the third Wednesday - and that means it's time to get inspired, Dude inspired that is! Grease Monkey Mike by Bonibleaux Designs is the perfect Dude to inspire you too. But there's a twist this month (don't want to get boring on you). Here's the inspirational board:

The twist is that it needs to be some sort of easel card. Now, I had never made an easel card before; this is my first. I found a tutorial here, looked at the pictures and decided I wanted to make a shaped card (not the standard square card).

Mike is colored with Copic markers, then fussy cut so he stands tall and proud on the easel card cut with Spellbinders Label 4 (#6) die. Today is his first day on his new job, and he's so happy and excited to be there. The only problem that might arise is that no one told him he shouldn't color coordinate his shoes and his hat. Oh well, he'll live and learn..... The base is stamped in Pumice Stone Distress ink with a background stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms and heat embossed. The sentiment, also heat embossed, is by Stampendous. Here's a different view.

Here are the Rules:1. Use inspiration board and creations from the Dudettes to get your mojo moving. 2. You are not required to use BDD images although it would make us really, really happy and giggle a lot if you did! 3. MUST be a masculine themed card; you can use humor, innuendo, be a little naughty, sarcastic, but it has got to be for a DUDE!4. Be sure to use the InLinkz at DTD to submit your creation.
You have one week to upload your project using InLinkz; the winners will be announced on the Dude Time Doodles Challenge Blog.

Go check out what all the Dudettes have come up with to inspire you (see tabs above for blog addresses). If you like what you see, let us know - that always makes our day!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Rupert wants to kick up his heels and play with the leprechauns this week. Mostly though, he wants to wish you a very happy St. Paddy's Day and to remind you not to drink too much green beer!

Stamping Dragon Designs ishosting the CDAC holiday / special occasion challengethis week. This is a two piece set that you can download for free and have a chance to win even more prizes. You only have a short while to upload your creations, so head on over now.

Rupert is colored with Copic markers (G03, G05, G09, Y28, Y06, Y08, YG0000, Y11, Y15, Y19) and Spica glitter pens (melon and lemon). I cut the sentiment out with Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Ovals - Small (#5), chalked the edges and adhered it to my mat. The card base is made with paper from DCWV.

I chose which calendar option I wanted from Word, deleted the parts I didn't want, then resized it to a smaller size. Next, I inserted Rupert at the top of the page and printed it out, one for each month. I could have gone ahead and typed in the name of each month, but I wanted to use some alphabet stickers that I have on hand.

I colored Rupert and the calendar lines with Copic markers (BG 72, BG75, BG10), cut the page to size and then used my 7 Gypsies Binderie machine to punch the holes in each piece of cardstock (definite time saver). I also covered a piece of chipboard with patterned paper and cut it slightly larger than my calendar pieces and made an easel back for it to stand up.

You still have time to enter the "Use the Colors Green/Yellow-Gold/White for St. Patrick's Day" Challenge at Stamping Dragons Designs. The challenge sponsor, Tiffany's Doodles, is offering two digis to the winner and a second prize is a spot as the Guest Designer for our next challenge. Visit all the members blogs to get more inspiration (see tabs above for blog addresses).

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Splish splash, Bobby Bubbles was taking a bath..... This fun image is yours if you decide to participate in the Guest Designer design team spot this month. The winner will be a Dudette for a month! Very cool! Copic markers were used to color this image and Crystal Stickles were added to make the water more splashy. I used my Dymo Caption Maker to make the sentiment; the ribbon is by May Arts and Ranger's Enamel Accents was used on the corners.Head on over to the Dude Time Doodles Challenge Blog to get Bobby and then upload your creation. You have until next Tuesday to enter. Check back next Wednesday to see who the winner is and also to find out the details about the Inspiration Challenge (there's a twist to it this month). Can't wait to see what fun, creative things you do with this image.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Happy Monday! Today I have a quick and easy card made with fabric and cardstock. A Nellie Snellen die (Eastern Rectangle) was used to cut this piece of fabric. The background stamp is by DRS Designs that I inked with a glue pad and covered with glitter. I left the inside blank, so it can be for any occasion.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

It's time for a new challenge at Stamping with the Dragon and the sponsor is Tiffany's Doodles. Here are the details: CHALLENGE: USE THE COLORS GREEN/YELLOW-GOLD/WHITE OR ST. PATRICK'S DAY PROJECTS. PRIZE: 2 DIGI'S TO THE WINNER FROM TIFFANY'S DOODLES

I chose Jiggy's Pot of Gold and colored him with Copic markers and Spica glitter pens. The sentiment is from Create with TLC. I printed the image out twice so I could add pop dots for more dimension. Both Jiggy and his pot of gold are pop dotted; I used a taller pop dot for the pot of gold so it would be in front of Jiggy. I also pop dotted the cloud.

I cut the main image with Spellbinders large deckled rectangles (#5), using the out of the box technique. I also created a little brad using my Epiphany Crafts shape tool and button caps. Here's a close up for better details:

Be sure to visit everyone on the design team and check out their creations as well. (See page tabs above for blog addresses.)

Welcome to this week's AiFactory's Challenge and my first challenge as a member of their design team. The theme is "A drop in the bucket" and I've used Ella under the sea (image 2). She's colored with Copic markers and I added scales on her tail using a Spica glitter pen. The sentiment is from Create with TLC, is cut out using the Lacey Squares (#1) by Spellbinders, and airbrushed with Copic markers.

I created a scene where Ella is perched on a rock in the middle of the ocean. Added a little Lemondrop Bakers Twine, and Ella is all set to go make a splash.

Be sure to check out all the wonderful projects that Design Team A has created for you today (see tab above for blog addresses) and don't forget to link up your creations over at the challenge blog. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Dude Time Doodles Sketch Challenge begins today. I incorporated a newly released image, Ollie Octopi, along with some old favorites, Sushi I & II (they're brothers) and Sashimi (a cousin), all of which are part of the Fish Set. Ollie is holding court and lecturing them all about the perils found in the deep blue. As you can see, they aren't very interested.

The background was created using the salt background technique, found here, under tips and tutorials. I used Distress reinkers for the coloring of the water. Copic markers were used to color all the images. The double border was created using My Favorite Thing's dainty dots border die and Classic Squares, large (#5, 6) dies by Spellbinders were used to cut out the frame.

Here are the Rules: You have one week to flip, twist, work, and submit the sketch. It doesn't have to be a Bonibleaux Designs Digi image, but it would make us extremely happy if you did use one. It must be a MASCULINE themed card. You can use humor, innuendo, be a little naughty or sarcastic, but it has got to be for a DUDE! Use the InLinkz button to submit your creation at Dude Time Doodles; you have until March 8. Be sure to check back at the challenge blog on March 9 to see if you're the winner (and don't forget the freebie challenge for Guest DT starts that day as well).

All the Dudettes came up with great projects, (click on the tab above for blog addresses), including this month's Guest Design Team Member, Crystal; so go check them out and maybe leave a little love along the way. Head on over to Dude Time Doodles to see what who our fantastic sponsor is this month and what you could win.